The Sharp Art Gallery

The dog’s bark stopped and its owner stroked it.  Nowadays they say man’s best friend.  Nowadays they don’t call the bark of the dog the beginning of the end. Nowadays the man and the dog curled up and watched the world go by.  The wolf was part of that world, going by.  The wolf acted. The wolf created change.  The wolf dared and it didn’t always work out.  The wolf that was lost that night, might be remembered for his actions.  The strength they showed, the sacrifice they displayed.  The ancient battle of the horse told them all that doing pushes us forward.  But as the world goes by, what would happen if we all paused?  Looked at the greenery in our midst.  Look at our portrait in the tears of our friends.

'Winter Wolves' Walki Freedreamer Tinkanesh

Did you find this story through one of our QR codes out in the community?

The deer was beautiful, quick, elegant, protective and so strong.  The cat woman should have revered the deer but instead grabbed the lovely creature and devoured it.  The summer season was the time for deer to eat snakes, which made them poisonous, and soon the cat’s fate was dug deep into the veins of the natural world as the dog barked, signaling the beginning of an end. 

Bigger, stronger, and more daring was the loyalty of the elephant.  It blocked the view of the sun,the moon and every power which told the earth that they were small.  They were small.  All the creatures of the earth are small.  But the friendships and connections feel bigger than the world as they fill our hearts and souls and everything which makes us breathe in this wonderful but tainted world.

'Deer' by Jenny Meehan

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The wind was caught  in the tail of a cat. Its walk stalked through the wind as if it were a mere breeze, tickling its fur gently. Talking of myths and legends, the wind knew such stories as whispers.  The gossip of folk-which is taken through time, meandering through other people along the way. The story of this cat was that it held the soul of a woman.  The cat, who liked to hide in shadows and sneak around-understated-took a turn in its behavior.  It started towards the sun.  Before sunset, the cat would set out, pursuing the ball of fire like a wolf in the night.  Other cats on the mountain were disregarded and often went unnoticed.  The woman in this cat, gave the cat something it did not have before.  The woman's soul was demanding that it was superior.  Despite living as a cat, looking like a cat and being a cat, its essence decided that there was something about her which was better-which is an odd conclusion to come to when there was only one thing about her and that was this ‘betterness’.  What a vicious circle it was.  The closer to the sun, the cat-woman went, the more she saw the world and understood, but as she continued and got really close, she was blinded by everything in the world and her internal glory took shine from the sun.

'Cat' by Liz

Did you find this story through one of our QR codes out in the community?

A lady bird landed on the tip of the cub’s nose, then flew with the wind, to the lake and landed near a swan. The wind believed the ladybird to be lucky, so trusted the swan. Swans were rare and there was always a chance of a bad one, making a good swan rarer. The luck of the ladybird eased the wind, who relaxed by the lake, creating a still, glittering sheen of placid water. The ladybird explored around her, landing on leaves with their breath of delicious life, finding its way into the world. The constant state of luck was better than divination, and better than a good person who does all things right.

The regal swan glided across the water, and the ladybird started to think, perhaps luck and fortune are different? The envy-inspiring wonder of the swan’s presence to the surrounding creatures prompted the wind to circulate around the bird, the water disturbed by the wind, splashed in distress, and the swan hid away. Only the ladybird with her luck would see her. Can what hides away be better when it cannot be enjoyed, except it enjoys the wonder of itself in its solitude?  Like a ball bounced against a wall, straight back to where it came from. There is no game. Maybe some calm though.

The wind continued,  past the pond and up a small hill, where above stood a grand statue. The wind realized its own ease as now there was a butterfly in its mist, confidently fluttering, swooping as it danced through the humid summer air. Eventually landing on the statue, carefully carved in the form of the great horse from a battle many believed to be myth. A warning, a series of moral lessons. But the few who knew the truth of the battle would have been grateful beyond words to know that the butterfly landed on the statue. A sure sign that the soul of the horse lived on. 

'The Birth of Indigo Children' By Eurekah

Silence and sound were at war. Battling to find a place for a collection of souls to feel home. The silence made them feel, the sound made them understand. But which would make it through that dark night? The moon shone over the landscape, tinges of silver on the glowing tree tops. Across the sky the wolf pack were pursuing the moon across the navy night. The child wolf found himself without light and without a way to find home. His friend ran towards him. The white in his eyes shone, only for him to close his eyes as he approached. The light of the cub's friend disappeared but a teardrop trickled forming a pool of water where the cub saw his own face and the face of his friend, staring back at him. What tear, had given him this portrait of himself?  What event had triggered the silent emotion?

'Wolf of the Red Moon' by Walki Freedreamer Tinkanesh

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Does it work for you? I am the first Artist in residence for the SHARP gallery.

On Twitter I am @dyslexicRant on Instagram I am @bahariermichelle both are a challenging due to my neurodiversity .

I am neurodiverse.  I have severe Dyslexia, and I am trying to understand Instagram.  Can you help me by adding the #s you would give these images below?

Here are the top #’s:

#love, #instagood, #photooftheday, #fashion, #beautiful, #happy, #cute, #tbt.

I want to leave you some images I put on Instagram to demonstrate what it takes and that is so hard when you are me.

This was an image I put on Instagram on 1 November 2019, it had 19 likes,  I do not pay to have my work promoted and maybe I need to I add 21 #’s across a number of themes such as #Duck, #Londonbyartist, #walking #wellbeing #reflectionsdevida #grandunioncanale and so on.  

Check out @bahariermichelle and you’ll see how restricted  I am, as my dyslexia is in an overdrive.  What is this?  How do I engage?

I thought the image spoke for it self, how old fashioned is that.

Another image I put up

I am asking that you please tell me what #’s you would give this image and how would you talk about it?

Many thanks

Michelle @bahariermichelle on Instagram and @dyslxicrant on twitter spelt wrong.

You will have to ask me if you’d like to follow my facebook page.  To follow me see:

https://www.facebook.com/MichelleBaharier/

“Today the 10 of October it is world mental health day ...............................

What does that really mean?  Mental health is a term we use when we speak of ‘Madness’ ‘psychosis’ ‘delusions’ disturbances with our perception of life at that moment.  So we get to meet the ‘psychiatrist’ and given on most occasions drugs, or sections, arrests or injections, and often against our will.

So what is the bright side of this experience?  For me its not mental health, its mental distress.  Charles Dickens also called it distress.  We are distressed. When I have night meres caused by my complex post traumatic stress disorder there is nothing about health, its trauma, and frighted like I am gonna die and or be killed.  When I am fighting off harm and grinding my teeth, when I wake up sweating and screaming.................this is trauma.

This is a frightening experience, and sleep becomes a fear something I cant do for fear of nightmares for fear of experiencing being murdered.

This distress influences my art my paintings and the loss of my heart in order to stay alive I have to give up my heart as living with emotions becomes to painful. So I disassociate myself via loss and giving up and painting in colour

I do not think this in a physicists manual how art and colour can quieten my thoughts and give air to my emotions

So for world mental health day give it a go paint draw.  Explore and see if you can quiet your mind.  Paint some flowers that you love, and take time off from being in pain.

As Leonard Cohen said there ‘ ain’t no cure for love’

You just have to do it again but trauma, when will it leave you ?

The stalker stops staking you, when you forgive the person who tried to murder you?

When you start again, no one can do it for you, you have to do it yourself

I don’t have depression I have melancholia.  It’s that suspension of that word that makes the reality of its stuckness and the fact it is not an everyday mood like depression, which everyone has.........I have melancholia a state of unhappiness or despondency.

For me a depression, can be an economic climate and were we are hearing the slump, economic crisis(noun) a long-term economic state characterized by unemployment and low prices and low levels of trade and investment. Synonyms: depressive disorder, low, impression, slack, falling off, imprint, falloff, slump, natural depression, drop-off, clinical depression, depression.

Is depression a mental illness or disease?

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.

I have had clinical depression since I was 14, I have always called it distress and melancholia, grief and loss though suspension waiting on a platform for a train that never came.”

melancholia

Synonyms of depression

blue devils, blues, dejection, desolation, despond, despondence, despondency, disconsolateness, dispiritedness, doldrums, dolefulness, downheartedness, dreariness, dumps, forlornness, gloom, gloominess, glumness, heartsickness, joylessness, melancholy, miserableness, mopes, mournfulness, oppression, sadness, sorrowfulness, unhappiness

Words Related to depression

melancholia, self-pity

anguish, dolor, grief, mourning, somberness, sorrow, woefulness

agony, distress, pain

misery, woe, wretchedness

Michelle is our digital artist in residency for the next month.  In celebration of national poetry day, here is a poem she has written inspired by the theme of imaginary or real animals.

What slides onto ice to bask in the midnight sun?

What can breathe oxygen out all day long?

What can drink ultra violet light?

What can live in a crosphere ?

What can bloom when ice sheets retreat?

What grows from a dormant cyst ?

What can swim and find its way to the blue glaciers?

What sets up resting on Ice that would others burn, numb and cause frost bite?

It climbs on,

and without the need for a sun screen,

towel

or sunglasses

lays out in 24/7 sun

Sipping cocktails, no doubt of ultraviolet light,

no need for a glass

no need for a gin

no need for a parasol

There photosynthetic powers of absorption take in the Ultra violet light that you and I cant

Housed with Astaxanthin’s pigments of  black, dark green and even crimson

ultraviolet filters  absorb the suns solar power,

these beings are the algae of the Glacial systems

But the glacial algae the Sun worshippers breath in the CO2 and breath out Oxygen

This is an ecosystem which us humans and our scientists know little about,

Algae can become toxic to both humans and dogs.

With their photosynthetic organisms and biological sunscreen and the mode in which their molecules move they can and

of course have always been there.

Once not considered a threat.

In fact, scientists forgot to think about them when the talk about global warming.

algae is as essential to life as our trees.

breathing out oxygen as it goes.

our algae

is a hidden reservoir of oxygen breathing living beings

However,

we continue our organic pollution and domestic sewage.

Which the algae cleans, of course.

becoming poisonous to fish, whereas it never was before

We have pushed the algae to unsustainable group.

Tickets sell fast to boats to glacier hotel,

To watch the cryosphere screaming out in pain,

As the ice breaks of and either floats out to sea or rollings down a mountain

Ending that once reflected the sun,

The algae is drinking ultraviolet gin and steadily dissolving the Blue glaciers ability to reflect light back out to space were it once came from

algae is increasing the rate at which the glaciers melt

I read its 13% faster than our scientists  anticipated.

Algae has a past it changed the planet's atmosphere by producing oxygen,

Algae created the evolution of eukaryotic organisms and gave us life

Marine plants are algae and produce  50-/80 percent of the oxygen we need to breath.

We need them but do we know why they are sunbathing ?

Do we know more than them?

As  climate crises continues will the Alage take charge and as before will Mother nature have her own plan for planet earth.  

Notes Reference: Cryosphere (One part of the cryosphere is ice that is found in water. ... The other part of the cryosphere is ice that is found in water. This includes frozen parts of the ocean, such as waters surrounding Antarctica and the Arctic )

Eukaryotic : Cell theory states that all living things consist of cells which are either prokaryotic or eukaryotic. ... Cells of animals, plants and fungi are called eukaryotic cells. They contain membrane bound organelles such as a nucleus and mitochondria.

Astaxanthin: You may find this as a label on some food  products,  (Astaxanthin is a reddish pigment that belongs to a group of chemicals called carotenoids. It occurs naturally in certain algae and causes the pink or red color in salmon, trout, lobster, shrimp, and other seafood. ... In food, it is used as a coloring for salmon, crabs, shrimp, chicken, and egg production)

Phytoplankton are microscopic ocean plants that form the base of ocean ecosystems; they are so abundant that they are visible from space. Here, average chlorophyll from 1998 through 2006 is shown in green and indicates areas of high biological productivity. Courtesy SeaWiFS Project/NASA GSFC and GeoEye, Inc.

The Photobioreactor arrived at the space station Monday (May 6) on a SpaceX Dragon cargo ship. The experiment is designed to use algae to convert the carbon dioxide exhaled by astronauts on the space station into oxygen and edible biomass through photosynthesis.

Early in the history of life, algae changed the planet's atmosphere by producing oxygen, thus paving the way for the evolution of eukaryotic organisms. In an era in which the consumption of fossil fuels is a prime topic of concern, few people realize that the oil we currently exploit comes mostly from Cretaceous deposits of marine algae. Moving from ancient times to the present, the algae remain more important than most people realize. Today, the production of oxygen by algae (ca. 50% of all oxygen production) is another reason for saying "our lives depend on algae." Those who love seafood should thank the algae because algae are the primary producers upon which aquatic ecosystems depend. Thanks should come from all who are vegetarians or omnivores, because all land plants derive from a freshwater class of green algae and all land-animals-including the cows that provide the steaks for meat-lovers-depend directly or indirectly on land plants for food and often for shelter as well. As we use up the oil deposits provided by the ancient algae, we are turning to the modern algae for help. Given the photosynthetic abilities of the algae, they are one of the major focuses for sustainable biofuel production and CO2 consumption. Finally, the algae that give us the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the fuel for our cars (past and, perhaps, future), are also a source of active pharmaceutical compounds that can be used against drug-resistant bacterial strains, viruses (including Herpes Simplex and AIDS), and cancers. Roses are pretty and oak trees are impressive, but no other groups of "plants" have done so much, for so long, and, for so many as have the algae!

Michelle is keen for her work to engage and help those suffering with mental health problems and would like to share resources to those following her residency.

Click here for News Stories

Michelle Baharier and her shuffling through life brings together Fruit Cake Creatives and Dyslexic Rant personalities which she is bringing to life through her art.

You can find her and follow her:

twitter @dyslxicRant  

instagram@bahariermichelle 

https://www.facebook.com/MichelleBaharier/    

https://fruitcakecreatives.tumblr.com/

She also appears at survivors poetry in convent garden poetry cafe

October as well as being Black history month is home to world mental health day.  Follow SHARP gallery tumblr over the next month for poetry, art, and more, by Michelle Baharier.

“I am sharing my work and influences of my work with you the audience of whom I hope are many.”

Our eyes are the most incredible piece of natural mechanics. Contrary to what is often believed, colours do not exist independent of our eyes. They receive and respond to light waves to form an image, an image being a combination of lines, shapes and similar features. Some animals, like the chameleon, have the ability to change their structure, therefore changing the way the light reflects and therefore the colour seen. Unlike many animals in the natural world, our hair and skin colour is not used for warning or camouflage. We often use colour to decorate ourselves and our locations to manipulate moods, emotions, motivations and expectations. It has cultural significance on our flags, dress and decor. (Parker, S. (2016)

Michelle Baharier and Ana-Maria took a workshop to the Welcome collection for presentation in the reading room. We asked, what does red mean to you?.........earth, fertility, life, blood, war, anger, mars.....

The workshop began with some information on colour theory. We talked about complementary colours and gave an explanation on the absence of colour, primary and secondary colours and what it means to mix them.

The group was then invited to experience dressing up in colours and having their photo taken.

After which we ran an exercise, many people still dress in the colourful fabrics they had chosen and talked a bit about how people think of colours.

After all...yellow is the sun..the daffodil, the sign of spring, or the yellow earth and river in Chinese culture. Each person has there own colour scheme, which will relate to their personal choices, their culture and where they grew up. These amazing differences grow and we unconsciously follow our rules when dressing up. It became clear when everyone talked about the little red dress, that they hid in their wardrobes and they are afraid to wear for fear of sticking out of the crowd.

Let the conversation continue. Why do you chose the colours you choose? What do they mean to you? Do you know why?

From ways to 'make sense of the world through mental health illness and struggles' (Jennifer Wishart) to 'metaphors or allegories for the battle of the individual', (Ann Foster). Perspectives on Mental Health, brings together a great variety of work, considering the points of view, feelings and emotions of the artists' experience of mental health. The experience of mental health struggles brings together 'a greater understanding from varying points of view' (Carola Cannon). We join our artists in believing, 'we all have the power within us to be creators of our own worlds', (Monica 'Lotus' Hoilett) Join us for an afternoon, to view the artworks and meet some of the artists, as we open up the conversation. RSVP before the 1st May and you will receive an art collection pack and an art inspiration pack, to suit the collector and the creative.

The exhibition showcases a variety of paintings, drawings, mixed media and multimedia pieces which explore the theme in individual and some very personal ways.

Jenny Mehaan explores her relationship to the subject through some very poignant photography and accompanying poetry. Relate-able nostalgia and an emergence into a lyrical expression, Jenny's work is very much engaging on many levels.

Sequin Kay's work has been admired for the intricate technique and concept, playing with the patterns in the wood she uses as the base for her delicate sequin work. The pieces are striking and decorative as well as emitting some of the meditative nature, processed during production.

Dan Knight's first contribution to a SHARP gallery show plays with perceptions using geometry and cleverly executed tonal work in the paint. A scan of the image gives a very different impression than spending time with the piece and getting to know its detail.

Returning artist, Walki Freedreamer Tinkanesh displayed three works, a painting of a Wooly monkey, reflecting Walki's interest in the monkey sanctuary, and a painting of Stone Henge, a wonderfully delicate piece. Walki also brought a new style of work. A fine, ink drawing. The line drawing's simply crafted draftsmanship, with a freedom about the personal subject, made the piece a talking point at the opening.

Samuel Golc used his handle on brushstrokes to evoke a movement through a dream world. Mark making with the brush he creates shapes and gestures which draw our eyes across the canvas.

Nisha Halai is selling framed and unframed prints of her serene watercolour scapes. We heard narratives connecting the colour washes to themes of truth, peace and love.

Eurekah Aba Nourbesé produced two video pieces including words and her own recital of her poetry. She collected many responses to her work and invited people to share their thoughts on the material. She is selling copies of the DVD fro £10, so people may bring home the blissful atmosphere the piece evokes.

Drew Sinclair returned with a new style, after having a very well received solo show at the gallery. These pieces combine varieties of paint application techniques to create the dreamlike qualities. The dreams contrast to other artists' responses, having a more defiant colour palette.

REFLECTIVE SUNLIGHT:  A SOLO SHOW BY Marlon Whetton

Beautiful and elegant pastel portraits, including drawings of Bruce lee and Lara Stone 

And scenes from films including: Harry Potter, Titanic and Carey.

The show is on until the 30 July

SHARP Gallery

308 Brixton Road

SW9 6AA

Open Monday-Friday 9.30am-4.30pm (by appointment only)

On Mondays: 1-4pm open viewings

Artworks are for sale for under £100.  Opportunities to get involved in future projects including an event around world mental health day.

The SHARP Gallery is a unique and innovative project, turning a drab meeting room into a popular gallery space at the Social inclusion, Hope and Recovery Project (SHARP), a service based in Brixton working with people with psychosis. Since being established in 2011 it has exhibited the work of over 120 artists, many of whom use mental health services. The gallery has transformed the physical environment and the experiences for staff and service users at SHARP, as well as giving a platform for emerging artists to exhibit.

An exhibition of portraiture, photography and paintings by Natasha Connell, and contributions from our ‘How Long is a piece of String’ open call is now on show at the SHARP gallery.

The exhibition welcomed a buzzing crowd on Monday’s private view. Vibrant conversation, and networking and support from fellow artists made the evening a great success.

If you would like your own portrait drawn by Natasha please contact us at: [email protected]

The gallery is open 

Monday 1-4pm for open viewings 

Tuesday-Friday by appointment only.

308 Brixton Road

SW9 6AA

020 3228 7050

Our next exhibition, exploring ideas around the passing of time, will display portraits by Natasha Connell.

SHARP gallery will present an exciting opportunity for visitors to have their portraits drawn by the artist. Natasha has years of experience and has a beautiful way of capturing the essence of her subjects. We are taking bookings from people to experience the artist at work and have your portrait drawn in the welcoming atmosphere of the gallery, with teas and coffees provided. Please get in contact with the gallery at [email protected] to book and for a price list.

Natasha has spoken of her portraits reflecting her own feelings at the time and her relationship with the world. From monochrome portraits, to some colourful pieces, the palettes used are one method of communicating distance and closeness. The show promises to be an interesting biography of the artist through her vision of others. A chronology of recovery and a therapeutic journey which SHARP gallery are looking forward to presenting next month.